McDonald Chasing Calder Cup With Phantoms
ALLENTOWN - Heading to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season, the Philadelphia Flyers organization has done quite a bit to change the culture of their top minor league affiliate - the American Hockey League's (AHL) Lehigh Valley Phantoms - since relocating their AHL franchise to downtown Allentown, Pa. for the 2014-15 season.
General Manager Ron Hextall's patient approach to re-stocking the organization with an abundance of highly-regarded blue-chip prospects across all positions has had a direct effect in the resurgence of the Phantoms at the AHL level, but he's done arguably an even better job of surrounding his up and coming prospects - future NHL roster players - with the right group of veteran players. These older, more experienced pros on the AHL roster help guide the rookies and prospects through their introduction to life as a professional hockey player, giving these 20-something year olds an example of what it takes both on and off the ice to be successful at the next level.
Guys like Phantoms' team captain Colin McDonald help mentor and develop younger players in an almost coach-like, on-the-ice type of presence.
"Since my first year, there was a lot of talk about trying to change the culture here and I know I was brought in to help with that," McDonald told Inside AHL Hockey prior to the conclusion of the Phantoms' regular season last weekend. "[Hextall] and everyone else is doing a phenomenal job bringing in the right people top to bottom - not just the players, but the staff, the coaches. I know it's cliche but it really does take everyone."
After ending a seven-year playoff drought last season, the Phantoms proved the 2016-17 season wasn't a fluke by following it up this year with the team's first regular season division title in 14 years.
"When I mentioned that to you, it was definitely more from a selfish standpoint," McDonald said in response to him wanting to wrap up the number one seed in the Atlantic Division. "When you're younger you don't really think about that stuff, but at this point in my career - and the leadership role I'm in - I'd like to get those on my resume. I'm just very happy that I'm able to say that I have done that in my career."
McDonald acknowledged, from an organizational standpoint, the strides the Flyers organization has made to turn things around at the AHL level with regards to promoting a winning culture and placing their prospects in a good atmosphere. The state of the art facilities at the relatively brand new PPL Center also help the organization to recruit some of the higher end AHL-level free agents evidenced by this year's AHL MVP Phil Varone and returning defenseman T.J. Brennan - a perennial AHL All-Star.
"My goals have changed. They change every year, but at this point it's more team stuff - I'm not so much worried about getting called up to the NHL anymore," McDonald said. "I know why I'm here - to help with the young guys and right the ship here when need be. I have two goals left for me. It's to win a Calder [AHL championship] and try to get to 1,000 games."
Beginning this weekend in the Atlantic Division Semifinals against the Providence Bruins, McDonald and the Phantoms can work toward the first of his two career goals remaining on his list. With 776 pro games of experience on his playing resume, the 1,000 game plateau could be reached with another three seasons of hockey.
"Part of winning the Calder Cup is getting to the playoffs, part of that is potentially winning a division title and winning a conference title," McDonald said, adding, "We are definitely trending in the right direction."
It will take 15 wins this postseason for the Phantoms to claim the 2018 Calder Cup Championship this June, and McDonald and the Phantoms are ready for what lies ahead.
"To have the support we have here from the Brooks brothers and their management underneath them, it's just a special place to be. They deserve it, the fans deserve it and I'm just really happy that we were able to [clinch the Atlantic Division]. Specifically for this year, we have the team to do it - no doubt. We have beaten everyone, and I'm looking forward to seeing how we play."
